GMC to go further upscale?

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Crossover, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

2011 gmc acadia denali

2011 GMC Acadia Denali – Click above for high-res image gallery

Despite sharing a lot of dirty bits underneath, General Motors has done a commendable job lately of differentiating GMC and Chevrolet. Look at the Equinox and Terrain or the Acadia and Traverse as proof. Both pairs of vehicles share the same underpinnings, yet each have their own look. That’s a definite improvement over prior efforts, and Automotive News is reporting that GM may go further in the future.

Mark Reuss, GM President in North America, tells AN that GM’s two-brand approach to trucks needs to be better executed in the future. The high-level exec adds that the similarities in price between the two brands often leads to identical incentives, which has in turn led to the dilution of the GMC brand.

One way to further differentiate GMC is to head upscale, and the Professional Grade has its successful Denali trim range to help make that happen. “I think we can do premium Chevrolets, and take GMC and move it even further up,” says Reuss. If GMC were to use Denali to increase luxury sales, the brand would have to incorporate the badging on a lot more vehicles. Right now the Denali brand is limited to Sierra, Yukon and Acadia variants, but a Terrain variant has been spotted testing.

GMC to go further upscale? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 May 2011 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia K9 sedan spied, upscale cues include Maserati-style side vents

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Kia, Luxury, South Korea

Kia K9 – Click above for image gallery

Remember the proposed Kia K9 luxury sedan? Apparently, it’s a reality, as spy shots of the Kia flagship have hit a web forum in Korea. As you can see, the K9’s camouflage (which sneakily includes Hyundai Genesis wheels) doesn’t obscure a set of Maserati Quattroporte-style fender ports. Just how upmarket is Kia shooting with this? Well, according to the tipster who sent them to us, the K9 is expected to slot into the market space between the Hyundai Genesis and Equus sedans.

If those two are anything to go on, Kia might be on to something. From these photos, it looks like the K9 will not only sport Quttroporte-referencing vents along its fenders, but long, angular headlights and a protruding grille, leaving impressions of the BMW 5 Series and Jaguar XJ – lofty benchmarks, indeed. Thanks for the tip, K7!

Gallery: Kia K9 out and about

Kia K9 front disguisedKia K9 read disguisedKia K9 mirrorKia K9 wheelKia K9 headlight

[Source: Bobaedream.co.kr]

Kia K9 sedan spied, upscale cues include Maserati-style side vents originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Feb 2011 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: BMW, Mercedes experiment with upscale car-sharing

Filed under: Etc., Europe, BMW, Mercedes-Benz

Daimler Car2Go

If you think that joining in on the car-sharing party means that you’ll be stuck behind the wheel of a low-buck auto, prepare to be amazed. According to AutoWeek, both BMW and Mercedes-Benz are diving into the car-sharing world with programs designed to allow users to experience a slice of luxury without having to foot the hassles associated with car ownership. BMW on Demand will provide drivers with a 1 Series for as little as €16 per hour in Europe (around $21 USD/hr). Those wanting a little more room can opt for a 5 Series for the low price of €23/hr ($30/hr), including servicing and cleaning.

Daimler, meanwhile, is working on a similar program in both Austin, Texas and Ulm, Germany, though that program will serve up products from the company’s Smart line. Users can reserve trim levels and colors on line or by phone, use the vehicle for as long as they like and drop it off in convenient car-sharing parking spaces. The time behind the wheel is automatically calculated and the user’s bank account automatically debited.

Both BMW and Mercedes-Benz are delving into car-sharing to confront a growing lack of interest in ownership from younger generations and increased traffic in urban settings, even though some research has shown that the use of a single shared vehicle can contribute to the loss of as many as nine to 15 personal cars.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Report: BMW, Mercedes experiment with upscale car-sharing originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 18:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Mazda looking to double U.S. volume and go upscale

Filed under: Car Buying, Mazda

Mazda CEO Takashi Yamanouchi

Mazda has its eye on moving on up. According to Automotive News, the company will look to double its sales figures in just five years. At the heart of that effort is the company’s new line of super-efficient gasoline engines and lightweight platforms sailing under the SkyActiv banner. Mazda CEO Takashi Yamanouchi says that most of the company’s products will benefit from the fuel-saving technologies by 2015, and that those changes may actually help Mazda command higher prices in the U.S. market.

Part of Mazda’s growth banks on the assumption that car sales in our neck of the woods will continue to slowly improve until they reach the same levels as what was seen in 2000. The company believes that small cars and crossovers are going to be essential to the automotive market’s growth in the coming years. Since its portfolio is already packed with fuel-savvy options, Mazda should be poised to do well if and when buyers start pouring into showrooms again.

Even so, things are hardly right as rain for the Japanese company. Ford has been making waves about finally cutting the last of its ties with Mazda, which could lead to an uncertain future, and the brand’s growth hasn’t quite kept pace with the rest of the industry.

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req. | Image: Itsuo Inouye/AP]

Report: Mazda looking to double U.S. volume and go upscale originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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